The Polk County Sheriff's Office has completed the requirements to be
re-accredited by the Commission On Accreditation For Law Enforcement
Agencies, Inc. (C.A.L.E.A.). Compliance with Commission standards has been
reviewed and verified by C.A.L.E.A. staff and a team of their assessors.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office received its' original accreditation from
C.A.L.E.A. in November of 1997. There are only 52 C.A.L.E.A. Accredited
Sheriff's offices/departments in the United States out of over 3,200,
placing the Polk County Sheriff's Office in the tip 1.625% in the
nation.

Representatives from the Sheriff's Office attended an accreditation
hearing at the C.A.L.E.A. Commission meeting, Saturday, December 2, 2000
for the formal presentation of the re-accreditation certificate.

The assessment team consisted of Chief Deputy Larry Schultz from
Rockford, Illinois and Captain David La Grange from Savannah, Georgia.
Both members of the team were experienced law enforcement professionals,
having previous on-site, inspection experience. The following are direct
comments made by Chief Deputy Schultz, who was the assessment team
leader:
"The agency is very well equipped with current up-to-date equipment
utilizing most modern techniques."
"Community oriented police initiatives are very successful. The
philosophy is taken very seriously by Sheriff Crow and his command staff
and is practiced agency wide producing positive results."
"There was no indication the anything was 'staged' for the benefit of
the assessment team. Employees seemed pleased to be associated with the
agency and spoke with pride regarding their status as members of an
accredited agency."

The assessors chose to attend a uniform patrol briefing in Southwest
Lakeland. The assessors advised C.A.L.E.A. of the following:
"The briefing was attended by thirteen well equipped, friendly and
professional appearing uniformed deputies and two sergeants. Lieutenant
Brain Garrett led the briefing prepared the shift for their tour of duty.
The shift briefing was orderly and efficient. Officers in attendance were
enthusiastic and shared knowledge with each other on materials introduced
at the briefing. During this particular briefing, there was a good
exchange of information and dialogue between the deputies and their
supervisors concerning a recent series of burglaries in a business area.
Deputy Richard Davis detailed his plan for a 'stake-out' of the business
area which was authorized by his shift supervisor."

The assessors noted throughout their assessment that they met several
find men and women of high caliber within the agency who were examples of
professionalism. Members related to the assessors that they are extremely
proud of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and of the emphasis it places
on professionalism. Assessors found the Polk County Sheriff's Office to be
in compliance with all applicable C.A.L.E.A. standards.

The assessors have recommended two agency programs as exemplary:
* PROCAP (Proactive Community Attack on Problems) which was started in
1997, and
* In Progress Shootings At Schools & Other Facilities which was
developed in 1998. The Sheriffs Office has provided a comprehensive
scenario based training program to all law enforcement deputies with the
agency and is also providing the training to other municipal agencies
within Polk County.

Other programs which have previously received this recognition include
S.A.V.E. (Substance Abuse and Violence Education), Victim/Witness 9-1-1
Telephone Program, and the Boot Camp.

In summary, the assessors advised C.A.L.E.A. of the following:
"The assessment team is completely satisfied that the agency is in
compliance with all applicable standards for review and the citizens of
Polk County Florida are served by a professional law enforcement agency.
This is easily observable throughout the agency. Once can simply point to
the agency's commitment to the principles of philosophy of Community
Oriented Policing which demonstrates the agency's sincere commitment to
provide the best possible law enforcement to its citizens."
"Sheriff Crow has done an outstanding job leading his agency. His
philosophy of excellence is demonstrated throughout the agency. It was
obvious that the agency considers the accreditation process a very
important of their daily operations. The agency can best be described as
living and breathing the spirit of accreditation."
"The Polk County Sheriff's Office had an excellent on-site and the
assessment team recommends that the Polk County Sheriff's Office be
awarded re-accreditation."